Billed as ‘the rail industry’s favourite networking evening’, the annual Dinner at the Roundhouse being held today, on Thursday 19th October at Derby Arena, as the biggest industry names come together to celebrate the last twelve months, forge new connections and look forward to the future.
The event couldn’t be timelier, following the recent announcement that Derby has won its bid to become the new home of Great British Railways (GBR), expected to be an economic and social game-changer for the city as well as the entire East Midlands region.
Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail and Chief Executive of the Great British Railways Transition Team, is poised to make a return as the evening’s headline speaker and will be sharing all the latest updates and crucial information relating to the project and its progress.
With the aim of creating a simpler, better railway for everyone in Britain, GBR will be the new single public body responsible for running and transforming Britain’s railways. And as the birthplace of the industrial revolution which forms part of a rich 200-year legacy as the centre of the rail industry in Britain, what better host could there be than Derby for GBR’s new headquarters?
Rail isn’t the only sector actively championing the city as one of the biggest hotbeds of innovation, helping to put it on the map as a leading player with a rich heritage entwined with a deep-rooted culture of innovation and modern enterprise.
Last year, plans for a new £15m manufacturing research centre at Infinity Park were announced, aiming to connect supply chain innovations in carbon zero technologies with UK industry. Its arrival will only further establish Derby as a centre for innovation, advanced research and development. Then there’s the South Derby Growth Zone scheme, which will include around 4,500 homes and 3.4 million sq ft of new employment space, potentially creating around 5,000 new jobs. This is only part of a multi-project plan representing investment of a colossal £700 million in the city which is set to help elevate Derby into a new commercial boom, post-pandemic.
As home to world-leading businesses Rolls-Royce, Alstom, Toyota and many others, we’re fortunate to be in a place with such a highly skilled and talented workforce, which will diversify and strengthen the local economy. As a rail recruitment specialist, Ford & Stanley couldn’t be prouder to facilitate this and help firmly position the UK’s most central city at the forefront of the industry.
